Berlin

Germany's foreign minister met with her Russian counterpart in a rare face-to-face encounter, urging Moscow to abandon what she called a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. The meeting stands out given the near-total breakdown of direct diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion, and it signals continued European efforts to keep channels open even as fighting intensifies.

Germany has moved against Berlin's 'Russian House', a Russian government-backed cultural centre that had remained open throughout Russia's war in Ukraine. Its survival until now is credited to a reciprocal arrangement protecting Moscow's Goethe-Institut from closure in return. Berlin's accusation that Russia was behind sabotage activity in Germany reportedly prompted the final decision to act against the centre.

The German and Russian foreign ministers have held a rare face-to-face meeting at a time of sharply heightened tensions between Berlin and Moscow. Direct high-level contacts between the two governments have been scarce since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, so the talks are being watched closely for any sign of a shift in diplomatic engagement, even though no breakthrough has been reported.

Russia's and Germany's top diplomats met on the sidelines of the United Nations in what both sides describe as their first direct talks since 2022. The meeting marks a rare high-level contact between Moscow and Berlin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine severed most formal dialogue between the two governments.

Russia and Germany have held their first high-level diplomatic talks since 2022, taking place on the margins of the United Nations. The meeting marks a significant thaw in relations that had been frozen since Germany shifted its stance after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Observers are watching closely for signs of whether the contact signals a broader diplomatic opening between Berlin and Moscow.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is hosting talks with EU counterparts aimed at tightening the European migration pact. The discussions, held in Germany, focus on strengthening the bloc's shared asylum and migration rules. The move signals Berlin's push for a harder line on migration policy at the European level, a subject of ongoing debate among member states.

Tigst Assefa's attempt at a world record at the Berlin Marathon fell apart when cramps forced her off record pace, with Guye Adola taking the men's victory in the German capital. Berlin has long been the stage for marathon world records, making the missed mark a notable talking point among distance running fans.

Coalition negotiations in Berlin are being closely watched not only for the city's next government but for their effect on the Bundesrat, Germany's upper chamber, in 2026. Commenters note that at the start of 2026 the Union still supplied eight of the sixteen state premiers, all men, and argue the wrangling is largely about shifting national power balances between parties rather than purely local politics.

The women's DFB-Pokal is in full swing in Germany, with several second-round fixtures making headlines. Schalke started fast against Essen, Blau-Gelb Marburg hosted Leipzig in what was called their match of a lifetime, and Werder Bremen reached the round of sixteen thanks to Ulbrich. 1. FC Köln won in Berlin, while Turbine Potsdam and Hertha BSC's women were knocked out.

A far-left party has won the Berlin election, campaigning on a pledge to nationalise housing in a city grappling with soaring rents and a chronic shortage of affordable flats. The result signals strong voter appetite for radical housing policy in the German capital and is likely to reignite debate over expropriating large corporate landlords.

A complete list of results, times and standings for the Berlin Marathon 2026 has been made available via Olympics.com, covering finishers' times and rankings. The race is one of the World Marathon Majors, and full result lists typically draw attention from runners checking their official times, clubs tracking athletes, and fans following elite performances in the German capital.

Germany and Russia have held their first direct talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to Deutsche Welle. The talks mark a notable shift in Berlin's stance after years of frozen contacts with Moscow. Observers are asking why the meeting is happening now and what it could mean for the war in Ukraine and European diplomacy.

Ethiopian runners swept the 52nd Berlin Marathon, with Guye Adola taking the men's title and an Ethiopian woman winning the women's race. Tigst Assefa's bid for a women's world record ended in drama after cramps forced her off record pace, with German media calling it a bitter setback. Around 56,000 runners took part, while street closures brought large parts of central Berlin to a standstill.